Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith has strongly criticized what he described as an “inappropriate sexual education program” proposed for inclusion in Sri Lanka’s school curriculum from next year.
Speaking at the reopening of the renovated St. Stephen’s Church in Meerigama–Kinadeniya, the Cardinal said the initiative, set to launch in January 2026 as part of education reforms, is being developed under the influence of international organizations.
He claimed the new curriculum seeks to introduce sex education from Grade 6, with teacher training and seminars already planned. “Is this really education? Isn’t it the parents’ duty to teach their children such matters at the right time?” he questioned.
Cardinal Ranjith further alleged that the program includes lessons on same-sex relationships and birth control, which he said are promoted with the backing of foreign organizations such as the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). “They have given money to the government and the Education Ministry, printed books, and are now implementing a plan that misleads our children,” he charged.
Warning that the program is scheduled to commence on January 27, he cautioned that it could erode Sri Lanka’s cultural and moral values. “This is an attempt to destroy our children by importing the values of a decayed Western world that has lost religion and morality,” he said.
Cardinal Ranjith urged the government to halt the proposed curriculum and called on the President to intervene to stop ministry officials from advancing such programs. “If the Ministry of Education is acting in a way that leads innocent children astray, we must completely reject it,” he asserted.
